Blogging Clarification

This is just to clarify the user roles associated with the blog. I’ll put the important stuff up front and for those who want more details, feel free to read on.

Definitions
Reader – Users who can read or comment in blog
Author – Users who have the added ability to post
Admin – Users who have all of the above rights and can also invite other people to be Authors or Admins

If you’re reading this, you’re a Reader. You can view the blog and, if you like, comment on various posts. The only things you can’t do as Readers are write posts of your own and invite others to be Authors.

If you would like to write posts of your own you would need to become an Author. The process to do that is simple. All you have to do is send an email to one of the Admins (Lanette, Mike Logan or Myself) telling us that you want to be invited. You will receive an email with a link. Click the link and you will be allowed to sign up as an Author. You'll need to use your Gmail account. No Gmail account, no problem. It's free and easy to register from the same link. If you don't have a Gmail account, shame on you for not having such a wonderfully, free and great online email storage space. :-)

All are invited to read but we recommend that, if you think you may want to write your own post anytime during the fast, you send the email to become an Author sooner than later. We say this because if you wait to ask for the invite until those thoughts absolutely have to get out, you may 1) not be able to reach an Admin who may be away from the computer or 2) lose the desire to post by the time you send the email, get the response, and sign up. If you become an Author now, you don’t ever have to post but you’ll be able to if the urge hits you.

This blog is a community tool and all of your input is valuable. We would hate to miss out on your good information and insight. So, if you’re at all interested, err on the side of caution, be prepared, become an Author. :-)
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I hope I haven’t confused the process. This next part is for the people who care to know. If you’re already tired of reading, use the rest of your energy to become an Author. lol

The reason you have to be invited to become an Author is because of the way blogs are designed. A blog is a personal column typically written by one (or few) and read by many. The blog belongs to someone even though it’s open to everyone. Imagine having a blog about your daily observations and one day realizing that Brandon from Sioux City posted his observations in your blog! They’re designed to prevent this which is why Readers can read and comment but not post.

This blog isn’t owned by anyone but because it’s set up using a popular blogging vendor, the usual restrictions apply. This is our blog and everyone who desires can post. You only have to make the painless transition from Reader to Author by sending the email.

We hope everyone has the opportunity to participate. Whether as a Reader or an Author, this is for all of us. So, tell more people, check back often, and we look forward to hearing from you.